Position – Full Sun
Soil – Fertile, Moist, Well-drained
Flowering Period –June to September
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Roses are deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or climbers that are loved by gardeners all over the world. Thorny stems hold distinctive and stunning single, semi-double or double flowers in colours including pure white, yellow, deep scarlet, vibrant orange and everything in between. Many also produce an intoxicating and instantly recognisable scent. These reasons make the Rose a classic garden staple. They are best suited to flower beds and borders within a courtyard, cottage and informal garden setting. Their eventual height and spread will depend on their variety.
Roses are best planted in fertile, moist and well-draining soil. If planting where a Rose has been previously grown, you’ll need to remove as much of the old soil as possible. Replace it with fresh garden compost and plenty of well-rotten organic matter. Roses will either come as a bare root, in which case they should be planted in the dormant period (when the plant has no leaves), or container grown which can be planted all year round, providing they are kept well-watered. The planting hole should be big enough to hold the roots. Before placing the Rose in the planting hole, apply a handful of bone meal and mix in well. This will help establish the roots and make for a strong healthy plant.
Once your Rose is well-established, prune to a third of the original size. Remove any dead, diseased or damaged growth and then reduce the overall size accordingly. Once the flowering period is over, you can undertake a light trim. This will prevent wind-rock. The main pruning season is from late-winter to early-spring.
Feed and mulch Roses during spring to get the best flowering results. Feed once in March and again in late-June to July. However, if your soil is light and well-draining, apply a monthly feed from March to July. Although they tolerate dry conditions, Roses will thrive best in moist soils. Provide a good soak at least once a week during hot periods.
It is possible to propagate Roses by hardwood cuttings during autumn or by chip budding during summer.
